Michigan State Pulls Off Recruiting Stunner: No. 1 Ace Pitcher in America, Five-Star Phenom CJ Deckinga, Commits to Michigan State Baseball
EAST LANSING, MI — June 21, 2025
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college baseball world, CJ Deckinga, the undisputed No. 1 high school pitcher in the nation and a consensus five-star phenom, has officially committed to play for Michigan State Baseball. The unexpected announcement comes after months of speculation linking Deckinga to perennial powerhouse programs like Vanderbilt, LSU, and Florida.
Deckinga, a 6-foot-4 flamethrower from Grand Rapids, Michigan, boasts a fastball that tops out at 99 mph, a devastating slider, and a rapidly developing changeup that scouts believe makes him “pro-ready.” Widely projected as a future first-round MLB Draft pick, many believed Deckinga would either forgo college entirely or opt for a Southern juggernaut. Instead, he shocked the nation by choosing to stay home and build something special with the Spartans.
“It’s about more than just baseball,” Deckinga said during his commitment ceremony held at East Kentwood High School. “Michigan State feels like home. Coach Boss believes in me—not just as a pitcher but as a leader. I want to be part of changing the culture. Why not make history in my home state?”
Michigan State head coach Jake Boss Jr. called Deckinga’s commitment “the biggest moment in program history,” and he’s not exaggerating. The Spartans, traditionally overlooked in the Big Ten baseball landscape, just landed a once-in-a-generation player whose commitment could have ripple effects throughout recruiting pipelines.
Deckinga’s signing already has several top-100 prospects reevaluating their choices, insiders report, with some calling this the “Juwan Howard effect” of baseball. In fact, CJ has already hinted at helping recruit fellow Michigan standout and USA Baseball teammate Jaden Morales, a top-10 shortstop in the 2025 class.
Scouts and fans alike are calling this a program-altering moment—one that could elevate Michigan State from a mid-conference team to a national title contender in the next two years. With Deckinga’s arrival in 2026, the Spartans aren’t just dreaming big—they’re throwing heat straight toward Omaha.
